Community Heritage Register

  • Is a planning tool, utilized by communities interested in integrating heritage conservation activities into other local government land use planning processes;
  • Provides formal recognition for historic places;
  • Must be adopted by a local government resolution;
  • Has legal status;
  • Provides access to powerful tools within the Local Government Act and Community Charter;
  • May be created from a new list of historic places, or from an existing inventory.

A Community Heritage Register does not:

  • Put a limit on the changes a heritage property owner may make to his or her historic place;
  • Require agreement from a heritage property owner to include a historic place as a register listing.
  • Constitute designation or any other type of formal protection of an historic place;
  • Create financial liability for the local government.

A Community Heritage Register can:

  • Enhance the public's appreciation of the identity and character of the community;
  • Facilitate public access to heritage information;
  • Provide a means of informing property owners and prospective buyers of a property's heritage value;
  • Facilitate the integration of heritage conservation into community planning and play a role in enhancing community sustainability;
  • Provide a tool for determining eligibility for heritage programs and incentives;
  • Provide eligibility for special provisions within the BC Building Code Heritage Building Supplement for heritage properties;
  • Allow a local government to consider and, if necessary, undertake protective action such as temporarily withholding demolition permits and building and development approvals, ordering heritage inspections, or monitoring changes in properties through a licensing and permit application process for historic places listed on a Community Heritage Register.
Properties that are nominated for inclusion of the Community Heritage Register will be assessed for their heritage value and character. Stay tuned for more information on how to nominate your heritage building or call Oak Bay Municipality at 598-3311 for more information.